Lefthander Tsuyoshi Wada is recovering well from Tommy John surgery and could be in the mix for a rotation spot with the Baltimore Orioles this season.

Wada, 31, signed a two-year, $8.14 million deal with the Orioles last offseason after a successful career in Japan but never pitched for the Birds in 2012. He was diagnosed with ligament damage in his elbow in April and had season-ending surgery the next month. He made one start at Class AAA before the surgery, allowing six earned runs in 2 2/3 innings.

During his five-season career in Japan, Wada went 57-36 with a 2.94 ERA. In 2011, he had his best season, going 16-5 with a 1.51 ERA and striking out 168 batters in 184 2/3 innings.

Other candidates for Baltimore's final rotation spot include Jake Arrieta, Zach Britton, Brian Matusz, Tommy Hunter, Steve Johnson and T.J. McFarland. Additionally, the Orioles remain in contact with free agent lefty Joe Saunders, who they traded for in August. Saunders, 31, went 9-13 with a 4.07 ERA in 28 starts last season with the Arizona Diamondbacks and Orioles. He was 3-3 with a 3.63 ERA in seven starts for Baltimore.

The Orioles are unlikely to pursue free agent Kyle Lohse, according to the MASNSports.com report.